SPECIAL REPORT: Mike’s Culinary Adventures, Part 2

It’s been a whole month and a half since the first installment of the story of Mike and his wonderful discoveries of the different foods of Japan, and when we last left our intrepid hero, he had eaten Nuts and Fish, fried squid, and natto, among other things. But of course, he’s never been one to rest on his laurels, and so he has continued his tireless search for new, exciting, and occasionally hilariously gross foods. And so, it gives me great pleasure to introduce the next exciting installment of this epic saga: Part Two of Mike’s Culinary Adventures (TM). Enjoy!

Sushi lovers, feast your eyes on this! Fresh squid, tuna, sea urchin, and fish eggs, and to top it all off, a whole, raw super-jumbo shrimp. This was some seriously good sushi–my mouth is watering just looking at this picture. Yum!!! [Note: We’ve been to this sushi place 3 times now, and we’ve got a great relationship with the couple who owns the place. They’re really talkative, and although we don’t understand most of what they’re saying, it’s always a lot of fun. Plus, their sushi is awesome!]

This little package was a bit of a disappointment. I thought it was a kimchee octopus, but when I got it home it turned out to be a kimchee bamboo shoot. Kimchee is actually Korean–it’s usually made from cabbage, has a strong, distinct odor, and is very, very spicy. So it was good–just not an “octopus” kind of good.

You think you’ve had dark chocolate before? Well, you ain’t seen anything like this! Yes, you read the package right–this was a candy bar made 99% of pure cacao. It was like eating baking chocolate–a few pieces at a time was all we could eat. Intensely good.

And lastly, this is probably the grossest food I’ve ever found here in Japan. I haven’t even eaten it yet–I just saw it in the store and got blown away that they actually sell this!!! Yes, this is a package of crickets –sweetened, cooked little crickets. I can’t imagine that someone would actually pay over $11 a pound for something like this. And yet, I’m somehow strangely attracted… Maybe they’d be good mixed with something else. Unless someone I know actually shows me what to do with ’em, though, I think they’ll just stay there on the supermarket shelves.

What a great country this is! My trips to the local Giant or Safeway back home were just plain boring, but here, every trip is an adventure! I will actually go to the supermarket just to hang out and be entertained for half an hour while I’m waiting for the train. My Japanese co-workers think I’m crazy for finding the supermarket a fun place to hang out, but hey, to each his own.

the sushi looked nasty! but hey- I’ve actually eaten one of those crickets! can you believe it? i didn’t have much choice. an ornery secretary at ishiimori shogakko brought them out one morning during my first year. and i have to admit, they were good. they have a sugary, soy sauce flavor. the trick was convincing my mind i wasn’t actually eating a bug. give em a try- if you can stomach that sushi- you can surely take on the crickets!! and if you can’t eat the whole package- make goodie bags for your unexpecting friends. i’ll just know not to accept any “gift” from you for the next few weeks.

I have viewed this culinary delight and now have skipped breakfast! You and Lis never cease to amaze me. I have been buying california rolls at the sushi bar at Kroger’s. With and eating the wasabe stuff with it-

I will not eat a bug

I will not eat a slug.

I will eat an egg

but not the crickets leg.

taddddaaa!

Please let everyone know Nathan is back home with me. We have been spending time together and decided we shall not discuss politics. We agree to disagree.

I plan on keeping him in a loop here-he is uncomfortable in crowds so I rescued him Sunday and took him out to lunch at the hospital where I get a discount. Cheap.

Hope all is well, I got a full report on you all and am happy to hear everything is well .Noone has forgotten you guys back here. Benno answer Nathan’s email-tell him Jen.